Liberal government accused of ignoring sexual harassment

Controversies swirling about a former Crown attorney and doctors suggest Ontario turns a blind eye to sexual harassment, critics charge

Richard J. Brennan / Toronto Star Order this photo

 

Premier Kathleen Wynne has brushed aside an opposition party suggestion to establish an all-party committee of MPPs to examine ways to better crack down on sexual harassment. 

By: Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau, Published on Tue Nov 04 2014

 

 

Controversies swirling around a Crown attorney and doctors suggest the province has turned a blind eye to sexual harassment despite Premier Kathleen Wynne insisting that policies are in place, opposition parties charge.

Wynne faced heated questions Tuesday about why former Crown attorney John Raftery was allowed to resign with a hefty severance package despite a group sexual harassment complaint. She was also questioned about why doctors disciplined for sexually assaulting patients are allowed to continue working.

“The problem is occurring under your own roof,” Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott told Wynne in the legislature while pressing for a special legislative committee on workplace sexual harassment.

Minutes later, New Democrats raised concerns about some doctors, including one whose situation was detailed in the Star.

“Today we learned doctors can sexually assault women and return to practice,” London West MPP Peggy Sattler said, urging Wynne that such issues should be “taken seriously.”

“This is something I and our government take seriously,” the premier said, refusing to divulge details on the Raftery case, which has been shrouded in secrecy despite repeated requests for information by the Star.

“I can’t comment on a particular case,” said Wynne.

Earlier this year, the Star filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act for any files related to formal complaints made against prosecutors. The government denied the request, citing solicitor-client privilege and labour matters. The Information and Privacy Commissioner’s office denied an appeal, saying it could not compel the government to release the records.

The premier has brushed aside Scott’s push to establish an all-party committee of MPPs to examine ways to better crack down on sexual harassment in the workplace in the wake of the scandal surrounding fired CBC broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi.

“How widespread is this in the province?” said Scott, adding a committee could “find out what we need to do better.”

The Star reported Tuesday that Dr. Sastri Maharajh of Mississauga has been disciplined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for professional misconduct after admitting to resting his cheek or placing his mouth on the breasts of up to 13 patients.

He was suspended for eight months and has returned to practice but restricted from treating female patients.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath questioned regulations that allow doctors to continue working in such cases.

“It’s one of those things that people would rather have a zero tolerance approach to,” she told reporters.

Scott said the College of Physicians and Surgeons should be required to report instances of sexual harassment or assault by doctors to police.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins said he has asked for more details on the college measures by Dec. 1 and what to do about professional misconduct of a criminal nature so the ministry can review future measures.

Asked if cases like the one Sattler mentioned trouble him, Hoskins, a physician, replied: “they do.”

“I want to make sure the mechanism in place is as strong as it can be and needs to be.”

Patients who feel they have been sexually abused by a doctor or anyone else should “go to the proper authorities. That includes the police,” he added.

The college sends information to police on a “discretionary” basis, Hoskins said. That is up for review.

Earlier Tuesday, Wynne told reporters the Ontario Public Service and her Liberal caucus have policies against workplace harassment and discrimination that address prevention, reporting, resolution and ongoing training.

“We have this framework in place. I’d like to know that it’s in place across all of the parties.”

Both opposition parties said they have anti-harassment policies in place and accused Wynne of trying to politicize the issue and dodge the push for a special legislative committee on sexual harassment in all workplaces.

“We don’t want you to play politics with it,” Scott told the premier.

With files from Jennifer Pagliaro

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/11/04/liberal_government_accused_of_ignoring_sexual_harassment.html